Good Morning Muffins: A tasty breakfast packed with natural protein, fruits and a veggie!

We're blessed to be on vacation this week, and on my list of to-do's for the day before we left was to come up with a healthy muffin that could stand alone as a breakfast for our early flight the next morning!  It was a formidable challenge, but I was up to the task.  And I must say, these turned out A-MAZING!  They are moist, flavourful, and packed with healthy ingredients!

A rainbow of healthy ingredients!

Pre-heat oven to 375F.

Mix together the following dry ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/4 cup bran flakes
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup hulled hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup ground chia seeds
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Mix the wet ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup applesauce (or two eggs - I was out of them)
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1 cup peeled, shredded apple
• 1 tsp vanilla

Lastly, mix in the extras:

• 1/4 cup chopped dates
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa nibs

Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Note on substitutions:  You can substitute any of the "special" dry ingredients for any other, just make sure you're using the same amount in total.  Similarly with the extras, which you could substitute with nuts, raisins, or any other dried fruit.  Also if you prefer, I think you could leave out the butter.

(I used this recipe as my base muffin recipe.)